On March 15th 2024, the 3rd Universities for Goal 13 Award (UG13) Greater China Finals, co-organized by the Institute for Sustainable Development Goals of Tsinghua University (Tsinghua SDG Institute) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), sponsored by Pernod Ricard China, was held successfully in the Auditorium Hall of the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University.
After rigorous evaluation and professional guidance, 10 teams shortlisted for the final round of UG13 Greater China Competition. ‘A Kernel of Corn’ from Tsinghua University, ‘Upcyclothes’ from CUHK, and ‘Buildings as Carbon Sinks’ from Shandong University won the ‘Winning Prize’ of UG13 Greater China Finals, while ‘Quell Pollution with Shell’ from Shandong University and ‘Illumisense’ from Tsinghua University won the ‘Pernod Ricard China Special Award’ (teams listed in a random order).
Representatives of the Winning Prize teams
Xufeng Zhu, Executive Director of Tsinghua SDG Institute, Dean and Professor of School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University; Joseph Chan, Head of Communications and Engagement of Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Office, CUHK, delivered the welcome speeches on behalf of the co-host of UG13 Greater China Competition. Kathie Wang, Vice President of Communications and S&R, Pernod Ricard China, delivered opening remarks of the event.
Xufeng Zhu delivered welcome speech
Xufeng Zhu mentioned that in the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference and the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, the task of combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions has never been more urgent. Universities are fostering young talents’ innovative climate solutions. We hope to promote interdisciplinary collaboration among students through the UG13 to provide creative solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals.
Joseph Chan delivered welcome speech
Joseph Chan remarked that universities are uniquely positioned to face the climate challenge and provide grounds for collaborations to address the crisis through research, education and groundbreaking innovation. The UG13 provides a platform for students to showcase their knowledge, creativity and passion, through which they are able to contribute to sustainable development, not only to academic practice, but also to building the cornerstone of a carbon-neutral future society.
Kathie Wang delivered opening remark
Kathie Wang mentioned that the UG13 Greater China Competition is evolving with the current climate challenges. Young people are a key force for innovation. In the future, Pernod Ricard China will continue to support young students and provide more opportunities for them to contribute more diverse proposals for sustainable development.
The competition was judged by Junming Zhu, Vice Director of Tsinghua SDG Institute, Associate Dean and Associate Professor, School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University; Kathie Wang and Joseph Chan.
Junming Zhu, Kathie Wang and Joseph Chan (left to right)
Focusing on SDG13 - Climate Action, the 10 teams combined interdisciplinary knowledge and technological innovation to provide numerous innovative solutions to address the climate crisis, covering a number of key areas such as carbon energy management, high-value utilization of wastes, and conservation of natural resources. Through the presentation of their innovative solutions and Q&A session, each team fully demonstrated their persistence in sustainable development and determination to participate in climate actions. During the Q&A session, the judges exchanged cutting-edge scientific knowledge, vast industry perspectives and experiences with the participants, and stimulated more inspiration and discussion.
Group photo (on-site)
Group photo (online)
The Universities for Goal 13 Award was initiated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and SIEMENS GAMESA in 2021. The first edition was launched in 2022, and after rigorous evaluation and professional guidance, the team from Tsinghua University won the global prize. In the second edition launched in 2023, Tsinghua SDG Institute, together with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, co-organize the UG13 Greater China Competition for the first time, which saw the number of teams doubled compared to the first edition and gained wide attention and praise from the society.
Tsinghua SDG Institute, as the co-organizer of the competition, aims to lead Chinese university students to actively participate in SDG13 - Climate Action, and propose more practicable and innovative solutions to the global climate challenges, while also to help cultivate Chinese university students’ innovation ability and climate awareness in addressing climate issues.
